Line tightener



Aug. 2, 1960 W. C. JOHNSON LINE TIGHTENER Filed Dec. so,l 1957 FNM.

, INVENTOR. WARREN f. JHNSN A 7' TORNEY United States -Patent.

i 'This invention relates to a linetightener for use' with lothes-lines, tennis court ropesl andthe like.

I am `aware that numerous constructions have been proposed for line tighteners, but most of these have not :been satisfactory for one reason or another-and have not been successfulcommercially. =Evidently the main objection to .thepearlier designs has been their inability to prevent slippage, and it is accordingly the principal object of my invention to provide a line tightener so designed and constructed as to positively minimize the likelihood of slippage, this objective being achieved' by a combination of the following features:

7(1) A wedging action on the line where two` lengths extend through dovetaijl-shaped openings in the body of the line tightener, so that `the'rope isA not only pinched at the pointsV of entry and exitv but the two'leng'ths are pressed together into close rubbingcontact between these two points to further resist any relative movement and prevent slippage.

(2) Combined with the wedging action, increasedfrctional resistance yis provided on the roughened crownshaped surface of the body between the two dovetallshaped openings over which the rope extends and against which it is drawn tightly. y

(3) lCombined with features 1 and 2 is the provision -of a transverse groove between two additional narrower dovetail-shaped openings through which thedead end -gportion of the ropeis entered to clinch it, the same being lgnot only pinched in the dovetail-shaped openings -but :also gripped between these two points by `the crossing ,over of the tightly drawn two lengthsextending between tthe other pair of openings, the abrupt change in direction rwhere the rope extends from one of the other pair of topenings to one of the narrower do'vetail-shaped openings giving further de'nite assurance against any likelihood of slippage.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawng, in whichy Fig. 1 is a face view of a line tightener made in acrcordance with my invention, and Y Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 oiliig.l l, showing ai length of rope extending through the larger dovetail-v shaped openings to illustrate one way in which the' device lis Vadapted tobe rused, there being shown in dotted lines a circle in the transversely lextending groove to indicate where the dead end portion of the rope lies and is adapted to be clinched when the tightener is used in the-manner radially outer portions to accommodate fairly freelytwo lengths of rope, like that indicated at 8, side by side so that the rope inay be threaded in through `opening 6 and out through opening 7 and formed into a loop, as indicated at 9, to engage on a hooker -the like, the other end of the yloop being` extended back into ,the 'opening 7 and out through the opening 6, the'` inward taper of the openings 6 and 7 being relied |upon to obtain a`A tight wedging action at lthe points 10 and 11 where the rope makes sharp bends as it extends across the crowned or spheroidal-shaped face 12 of the body between the openings 6 and 7,`as illustrated in Fig. 2, and as also indicated by the dotted line circles in Fig. 3. The surface 12 is serrated on 45 linesas indicated at 13 in Fig. 3, with respect to the fdirection of the rope 8 where it extends `between the V openings 6 and 7, whereby toY provide the saw-teeth projections indicated at 14 in Fig. 2, which by `illustrated in Figs. Sand 4, 3 being "an enlargement i of Fig. `1 andFig .f4'being a" perspective `view. f

The same reference-'numerals are`ap'plied'tb Vco'rres'pondingspartsthroughout' theviews..l w i Referring `to the drawing,` the line. vention fis indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, and preferably, thoughnot necessarily, isA in the-'form of a circular Adisk onbutton o f molded plastic material having two diametrically opposed, parallel, ldovetail- Yshaped,openings 6-nd,7 providedjtherein whichtapen` :inwardly toward each other and are wide enoughat their v' tight engagementV of the rope under tension can be counted upon to give considerable additional frictional resistance toany relative 'movement between the rope vand the body ofthe line tightener. The pinching action on the rope at 10 and 11 also insures tight interengagement of the oppositely extending Vlengthsof rope between the openings 6 and 7 to further resist any relative movement. In operation, a line tightener of satisfactory form may be made, embodying just' the features describedithis far,` namely: (l) The ydovetail-shaped openings 6 and 7;

' v(2)V The crownedY or spheroidal-shaped surface between the openings 6 and 7, and .1 (3) The serrations 13-14 on 4 5, lines with respect to the direction of'the two pieces of ropeprovided on the surface 12.

The Vrope `8 or *otherline to be maintainedundertension wi1l, it is understood, be extended in through opening 6, across and down through opening 7 and outl t9 define the loop 9, and then in through opening 7 across andv down through opening 6 and out `along the dot and dash line a as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, there being ampleinsurance against slippage afforded by the pinching of the line at 10 and 11 where the two oppositely extending lengths are crowded together at the inner ends of the dovetail-shaped openingsr andl 7, and there being `further insurance against-slippage affordedby Vthe tight frictional engagement of the two parallel extending lengths between the openings 6V and 7, and by the tight engagement of these lengths with the crown-shaped and serrated surface 12 between the openings. However, I prefer to provide in addition the transversely extending groove 15 interconnecting the dovetail-shaped openings v16 and 17 so that the dead end portion of the rope that would otherwise extend out freely on the [dot and dash line a maybe extended abruptly Vfrom the opening 6v along a 45 line, as indicated at 18, and up through opening 16 and across the top of the' body of the line tightener in groove 15 and down through opening 17 and out, as indicated at 19, the two lengths of rope ex-V Athe crossfover points Z0, coupledwith the abruptzchanges `in direc'tionrat 2 1 and 22 and the pinching of the rope at 16 and 17 is enough to eliminate any likelihoodof slippage ifonlyordinary care is taken in the proper; use -Vof `theline tightener. Y 'It will also be understood that the narrower openings 16 and 17 can be used with plastic line' andrope of smaller cross-section Whererthese openings arewide enough to give a wedging action on two oppositely extending lengths similarly as shown in open- ,3 ings 6 and 7. Thus one device 5 may be used with two or more different sizes and kinds of rope or'line.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims 'have been drawnto cover lall legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim: Y n

l. In a device of the character described for `secu-ring against slippage the free end of a rope`loop,1the combinaltion with a rope of substantially uniform thickness having a loop formed in one end portion thereof vfrom which extends a free'end portion, afdisc body having a pair of jdiametrically opposed "elongated rope-,receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation andperpendicular to theplane 'of the ybo'"cly,'the openings beingtapered toward -one another 'and'both being of a width in relation to the thickness ofsaid rope'for close conflnementand wedging engagement Vinthe narrower inner ends of'both of said openings ofside by side abutting live and dead lengths of Vthe rope vin the innerwen'ds thereof, said ropel being "extended -through lsaid openings and formed'in a 'loop nd'its dead end portion being ,extended back through the openings alongsideitslive end portion to dene'the abutting lengths, both`leng'ths .of said rope Abetween the openings being disposed'in a plane parallel to and abutting the Vsurface of the body 'of said disc, and the live'end'being placed under'tension while'the'loop is suitably anchored.

2; The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the I Lb'ody of saidv disc 'has a crownforrnation onlthe surface thereof between said openings .engaged by the L abutting lengths of rope,whereb'y Vto increaseftheresistance to slippage of the rope under tension.

3. The combination'as set forth in claml whereimthe body of saididisc has roughnesses vontheV surface thereof 'between saidopenings'engaged bythe abutting lengths .of rope, whereby to increase the resistance to slippage' of vthe rope under tension.

n 4. The' combination as set forth in claim l wherein the body of' said Vdisc has a crown vformation and roughne'sses on thesurface thereof between `said openings engaged bythe abutting lengths of rope, whereby toginrease 'the' resistance to slippage of therope under tension.

k5.V `In ar device of the character described-for securing .against slippage the free end of a rope loop, the Ycombinaton'with a rope of substantially'uniforrn thicknesshaving afloop formed inV one end portion thereof A frornwhich extends' a jfree end portion,`a discbodyghavinggagpainof lc liantetrically opposed elongated rope-receiving openings f ,extending therethrough in substantially parallell relationV and vperpendicular tothe plane ofthe body, .the Yopenings kbeing tapered toward one another and bothbeing oft-a Awidth in relation to the thickness ofsaid rope for close confinement' and wedging engagement in the narrower inner ends of both of said openings of side by-sideabutting live and dead lengths of the Vrope in therinner ends Y thereof, said rope being extended through said openings and formed ina loop and its dead end vportion being extended back through the openings alongside its live end portion to define the abuttinglengths, both lengths of said rope between the openings being disposedtuin a l plane substantially parallelto the surface ofthe. body lof said disc, and the live'end being placed under tension while Vthe loop 'is suitably anchored, Vsaidbody having -two other smaller width diametrically` opposed"ropereceiving openings extending-therethroughi substantially fparallel'relaton and perpendicular to them'plane of the body and located on a` line in transverse relationshiprto valinethrough,the-firstmentioned openingsfwlrereby the "70- in-.arlooptandf-itsl dead fendaportion being extended Aback fthrough the openings alongside -lits live endportion fto ldelnethe l'abfutting lengths, andthe-liveend being placed *under -vtension-1 while Athe 'loop I is; suitably anchored, said "'bodyjhaving'two other smaller width .clianztetrically opdead end portion of therope may be 'extended'for-clinch- -ingp'urposes through' these additional openings underthe ltwo'- lengths of rope between the rst mentioned openings.

l 6. In adevice offthe character `describedr`\for"securing 75 against slippageethefree end of a rope loop', the cornbination with a rope of substantially uniform thickness having va loop formed in one end portion thereof from which extends a free end portion, a disc body having a pair of diametrically opposed elongated rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation and perpendicular to the plane of the body, the openings being tapered toward one another and both being of a width in relation -to the thickness of said rope for wedging engagement-ofside by vside abutting live and dead lengths of the rope in the inner ends thereof, said rope :being extended through -said openings and formed in a loop and its dead `end` portion being extended back through the openings alongside its 'live end portion to define the abuttingllengths,andthe live end being placed under tension while the loop is suitably anchored, said body having two other smaller width diametrically opposed rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in Asubstantially parallel relation and perpendicular ,to Athe plane of thebodyi'and located on a line n transverse relationship to-.a'line through the first mentioned openings, whereby t-he dead 4end portion ofthe rope may be extended forclinching ,purposes through these additional openings under the twofle'ngths of rope between the first mentioned openings, the body of said disc having a groove provided .in/the Vrope-engaged face ythereof between the two additional openings, said groove being shallow in relationto thecross-sectional dimensions of the rope.

7. In a device of the character described for securing against slippage the free' end of a rope loop, the combination with a ropeofsubstantially .uniform thickness h avingaloop formed in oneend portion thereof from whichextendsafree end portion, a disc body havinga pair .of diametrically ,opposed elongated rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relationand perpendicular to the plane of the body, the openings being tapered toward one another and both beingof a width in relation to the thickness of said rope v4for wedging engagement of side by side abutting live and dead lengths ofthe rope in the inner ends thereof, said rope being extended through said openingsand formed in a loop and its dead end portion being .extendedv back `through the openings alongside itsrlive endvportion to .delinethe abutting lengths, V,and the live-end being placed l:under tension while the loop is suitably anchored, said body having two other smaller width diametrically opposed ropereceiving openings Vvextending therethroughin .substantially parallel relation andperpendicular to the plane of the bodyand locatedon a line in `transverse l'relationship. to. a line throngh vthe first mentioned Y opgenpings,` wherebyfthe dead AVend Porti@ .of therope may be v.extended for. linehing purposes through these additional openings underthe two lengths of rope between the first mentioned'openings, the two additional openings being `alsotapered toward one anotherfor wedging engagement of the" dead end portion of the rope therein lwhen pulled `tight.

8. In a device of thecharacter'described for securing against slippage thefree endof a Yrope loop, the combination with a Vrope of snbstantially uniform thickness lhavinga loop.,formed in oneend portion thereof from which extends ,a-free end'portion,l a disc bodyhavinga relation and perpendicularzto.thesplane ofthe body, the

l openings beingl tapered toward;;one 4another l and -both being ofaqwidthlinrelation toft-he thiekness ofgsaid` rope Y for- ;welging :engagement ofside bysideabutting livegand dead lengths of thefro'pein thelinnerendsthereof,1sajd rope.'beingiextended-throughfsaid -openings and-formed posed rope-receiving openings Yextendingtheretlnrongh in substantially parallel relationv and perpendicular to the plane of the body and located ,on a line in transverse, relationship to a line through the -iirst mentioned openings, whereby the dead end portion of the ropemay be extended for clinching purposes through these additional v openings under the two lengths of rope betweenthe iirst mentioned openings, thetwo additional openings being t also` tapered toward one anothe,r-forwedgingengagerv7 ment of the dead'rend portionof thelrope therein when pulled tight, said body also having agroove provided in the rope-engaged face thereof between the twoadditional Y openings, said groove being shallowin relation tothe crossfsectionaltdimensions of the rope.

being of a'width Vin r'e'lationto the thicknessof said-rope for wedging engagement of side by side abutting live and dead lengths of the rope in the inner `ends thereof, sa'id ropebeing extended throughrsaid openings and Iformed infaloop and its dead end` portion being'extended back through the openings alongside its live-'end portion to define the abutting lengths, and the liveend being placed under` tension` while` the loop is suitably anchored, said body having two other smaller width diametrically opposed rope-receivingopnings extending therethrough in substantially Aparallel relation 1and perpendicularV to the plane of the body and located ont-.a line in transverse relationship toa line through the iirst mentioned openingswhereby the dead end portion of the rope may be extended for clinching purposes throughthese additional openings under the two lengths of rope between the iirsty mentioned openings, the body of saidY disc having a crown formation on the surface thereof between said first men tioned openings engaged by the abutting lengths of rope,

whereby to increase the resistance to slippage of the rope under tension.

11-0. In a device of the character described for securing against slippage the free end of a rope loop, the combination with a rope of substantially uniform thickness having a loop formed in one end portion thereof from which extends a free end portion, a disc body having a pair of diametrically opposed elongated rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation and perpendicular to the plane of the body, the

Y openings being tapered toward one another and both being of a -width in relation to the thickness of said rope for wedging engagement of side by side abutting live and dead lengths of the rope in the inner ends thereof, said rope being extended through said openings and formed in a loop and its dead end portion being extended back through the openings alongside its live end portion to define the abutting lengths, and the live end being placed under tension while the loop is lsuitably anchored, said body having two other smaller width diametrically opposed rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation and perpendicular to the plane o f the body'and located on a line in transverse f relationship to a line through` the first: mentioned openings, whereby the dead end portionv of the rope may be A extended'for clinching purposes through these additional openings under the two lengths of rope between the vfirst mentioned openings, the body of said disc having roughnesses on the surface thereof between said rst mentioned openings engaged by the abutting lengths of rope, whereby to increase the resistance to slippage of the rope under teurn'on.k

ll. ln a devic of the characterdescribedtfor securing7 against slippage the'free end of' a rope loop, the com-A bination'with a rope of substantially uniform thickness having arloop formed in one end portion thereof from whichextends a free end portion, a disc body having a pair of diametrically opposed elongated rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation and perpendicular to the plane of the body, the openingsbeing tapered toward one another and both being of a width in relationV to .the thickness of said rope for wedging engagement of sidev by side abutting live and dead lengths `of the rope in the inner ends thereof, said rope-being extended through saidopenings and formed` in aloop and its dead end portion being extended back through the openings alongside its live end portion to deiine the, abutting lengths,V and the live end being placed under tensionwhile the loop is suitably anchored, said body having' two other smaller width diametrically opposed rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallel relation and perpendicular to the plane ofthe vbody and located on a line in transverse relationship toa line through the first mentioned openings, wherebythe dead end portion of the rope may be extended forclinching purposes through these additional. `openings under the two lengths of rope between the first;` mentioned openings, the body of said disc having a crown: formation on the surface thereof between said rst men-- tioned openingsfengagedby the abutting lengths of rope,. whereby to increase -tll'e resistance to slippage of thef rope `under tension, said body also having a groove provided in the rope-engaged face thereof between the tw'o-l additional openings, said groove being shallow in relation,

to the Vcross-sectionaldimensions `of the rope.

12. In a device of the character dsecribed for securing:

against slippage-the free end of a rope loop, the com` bination-witha-,rope of substantially uniform thicknessr having a loop formed in one end portion thereof fro'mz which extends a free end portion, a disc body having a.: pair of diametrically opposed elongated rope-receiving.

openings extending therethrough in substantially paralleli relation and perpendicular to the plane of the body, the: openings being tapered toward one another. and botht being of a width in relation to the thickness of said rope: for wedging engagement of side by side abutting live andi dead lengths of the rope in the inner ends thereof, saidi rope being extended through said openings and for-medi; in a loop and its dead end portion being extended back: through the openings alongside its live end portion to. define the abutting lengths, and the live end being placed under tension while the loop is suitably anchored, saidl body having two other smaller width diametrically op posed rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially p-arallel relation and perpendicular to the: plane of the body and located on a line in transverserelationship to a line through the first mentioned openings, whereby the dead end portion of the rope may be extended for clinching purposes through these additional'. openings under the two lengths of rope between the first mentioned openings, the body of said disc having roughnesses on the surface thereof between said first mentioned openings engaged by the abutting lengths of rope, whereby to increase the resistance to slippage of the rope under tension, said body also having a groove provided in the rope-engaged face thereof between the two additional openings, said groove being shallow in relation to the cross-sectional dimensions of the rope. v

13. In a device of the character described for securing against slippage the free end of a rope loop, the comopenings being tapered toward one another and both beingof a width in relation to the. thickness of said-ropefortwedgingengagement of sidetby. side4 abutting liveand dead' lengthsiofftlie .ropelin` the inner` ends thereof; said rope.' being extended through said'i openingsand= formed in a loopand its dead end'portion being extended back througnthe. openings alongside its.- liveendl portionto deline-itheabuttng lengths, and 'the live endbeing placed under tension while the loopis suitably anchored, saidbody having, two other s smaller` width J diametrieallyY opposed rope-receivingopeningsy extending; therethrough in substantially parallel relation.andperpendicularto the plane of the. b ody and.located.1onv.a,1nein transverserelationship 4to a line through the iirst mentionedffopenings, whereby thedead-aendfportion oftherope maybe extended for` clinching purposes throughthese additional openings under-thertwo-tlengths of ropelbetween the first mentioned openings, the-.body of=saidzdisc\having a-crown formation on the surfacelthereof between said rstlmen-V tioned openings engagedby the abuttinglengths of rope, wherebyrto increase the resistance to slippage of the rope under tension, said two additional openings being also tapered toward one another for wedging engagement vof the dead end portion of thefrope therein Whenpulled tight.

i14. In a device of theoharacter described forsecuring-` against slippage the free end of a rope loop, the combination with a rope of substantially uniform Ythickness having `a loop Vformed-in one end portion thereof from which extendsv a free end'portion, a diso body having a" pair of diametrically opposed elongated rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantiallyvparallel relation andperpendicular to the iplaneofthe body; the openings being tapered toward one another and both being of a width in relation 4to the .thickness ofrsaid rope forwedging engagement of side by sidelabuttinglive and dea d lengths ofthe rope in the inner-.ends thereof, saidv rope beingv extended through said openingsl andformed" inasvloop anditsrleadfendportion being extended back throughnthe-openinjgs alongside its live end' portion to Y denefthelabuttinglengths, and the live Vend, being placed` under-tension-whilethe loop is suitablyuanohored, saidl bodyhavingtwootherA4 smaller width diametrically opposed-rope-receiving openings extending therethrough in substantially parallelY relation and'perp'endicular to the plane1o1the-- body-and locatedon a line` in transverse relationship to a line-tl1rough the-rst mentionedopenings=whereby-the-dead end portion ofthe rope may be extended ifor-elinchng purposesthrough these additional openings under the two lengths of'fvrope between the first mentioned openings,` the bodyevof-said disc having roughnesses onthesurfacethereof betweenV said rst mentioned openings engagedJby .theabutting lengths of rope, whereby-to-increasethefesistance to-slippage oftherope under,`

tension',- saidetwo additional openings'being alsov tapered toward-one-anotherffore'wedgingengagement of the dead end'v portion ofthe ropethereinV when Vpulled tight.

ReferencesC'ited, in thejile ,of this patent uNIrEnjSrArest PATENTS 

